Need help identifying this station wagon

[Maple Leaf]

I am looking for some help in identifying this Dodge station wagon.  I think it is a 1957 model but it looks quite different than the ones that are shown in the sales brochures.  The title on the picture reads “A Vancouver police car outside of Empire Stadium in Vancouver in 1960.” and the source of the photo was the “Old Vancouver Series” page on Facebook.

By enlarging the picture I can read “Dodge” lettering on the hood and a “Custom Suburban” script on the rear quarter panels.  I’m wondering if it was a Canadian version since it looks like it has Plymouth rear quarters and I know that Canadian Dodges and Plymouths shared some trim and body panels throughout the 1950’s.  The other possibility is that it is a Police-only model rather than a car that was available to the general public.

Can anyone help with this?

Thanks

[Plymouthy Adams]

going with 57 Dodge Suburban....

[greg g]

US Dodge Wagons in 57 were labeled as Sierra. The top of the Dodge fin was trimmed to look like it was a welded or bolted on piece.  The picture doesn't show the rear very well but I think Dodges stacked round tail lights the ends of which might be visible at that angle.  However the biggest tell is the front bumper. Dodge had an upper and lower piece main bumper while the US Plymouth had a single bar. Plymouth and Dodge both shared a 122 inch wheelbase on their Wagons.  Plymouth advertised their wagon as the longest  of the low price three.  Dodge was considered a mid priced offering.

 

 

[Plymouthy Adams]

Plymouth learned the market trick of length in 54 with the peaked headlight bezels and adding the manner of rear overriders for that 'bigger car' look.   The Dodge often had the advantage of better designer cues on trim for sure which garnered that extra cost at he dealership I suppose.  The poor ole DeSoto...not much you can do with a mud fence left outside in the downpour.  

[Maple Leaf]

On 10/2/2024 at 6:50 AM, greg g said:

US Dodge Wagons in 57 were labeled as Sierra. The top of the Dodge fin was trimmed to look like it was a welded or bolted on piece.  The picture doesn't show the rear very well but I think Dodges stacked round tail lights the ends of which might be visible at that angle.  However the biggest tell is the front bumper. Dodge had an upper and lower piece main bumper while the US Plymouth had a single bar. Plymouth and Dodge both shared a 122 inch wheelbase on their Wagons.  Plymouth advertised their wagon as the longest  of the low price three.  Dodge was considered a mid priced offering.

 

 

Yes, the US Dodges had that unique tail fin.  I think this Dodge is most likely a Canadian version.  In the 1950’s Canadian market Dodges often used Plymouth components, hence the nickname “Plodge”.

[Plymouthy Adams]

while the Plymouth chassis and body was typically used with the shortened wheel base cars.....the Dodge features/trim/etc places them in the Dodge realm in the Canadian market...the very bumper on this screams Dodge....in this GRAY area one must be careful when buying some grille trim etc while it looks Dodge, it is not full sized Dodge and you end up with a part that is not useable.   It has always been my view that the Dodge styling cues surpassed all the other sister....Dodge would be Cinderella with the DeSoto being the evil stepmom and the ugly sisters Chrysler and Plymouth....☺️  (as in all things lumped, there are exceptions)

Edited October 16 by Plymouthy Adams